title_name=GUNxSWORD
|
| |
ガン×ソード
|
| |
GUNxSWORD
|
Animanga/Anime| Information
|
is a 26 episode anime produced by
AIC A.S.T.A, that premiered in July 2005. The protagonist, Van travels the world searching for a mysterious man with a clawed right hand who killed his bride. He is joined by five other travelers along the way, each linked to the clawed man by a personal loss. Gradually they find the makings of a plot that will shake the foundations of the world they live on.
Gun X Sword is set on the 'Planet Of Endless Illusion'; a place where rogues of all sorts gather. The world itself has one moon orbiting it, and has a general technical level of modern Earth, with a few exceptions, such as humanoid combat suits called 'Armors'. The overall culture has a 'wild west' feel to it, with general lawlessness in the more rural areas and large expanses of wilderness.
A tall, lanky, wanderer of few words clad in a dark swallowtail suit. Most who pass him by seem to think he's half-asleep, as his speech is slow, laconic and unhurried. However, when hearing news referring to the clawed man his personality shifts to extreme anger. He acquires many titles through out his travels. These include: "Van the Unemployed", "Van the Freeloader", "Van the Crybaby", "Pretty Van from the Garbage Dump", "Van of the Dawn", "Van the Nice Guy", "Van that Weird Guy who Helped Out", and "Van the Devil's Swallowtail Suit". He tries his best to remain uninvolved with those who he meets, and if he does help does so out of public sight. He has extremely low tolerance for alcohol, and drinks milk instead. When dining, he asks for all the available seasonings, and after smothering his dish in them he eats and yells phrases such as "SPICY!" "IT'S DELICIOUS!" and "IT GOT COLD!". Although unexplained at first, he also possesses an unusal scar on his chest: a circle split vertically down the center with seven lines radiating from the outside. He also carries a handheld puzzle consisting of a cylindrical rubics cube given to him by Gadved. Gadved had given the puzzle to Van to prove he could master himself. When Van almost gives up on revenge after being defeated by Wuu's armor Metsä he reflects on his relationship with his wife Helena. Thinking of her he manages to solve the puzzle and discovers his strength comes from her love of him.
His primary weapon is a shape-memory cloth held at his side like a pistol. This can change configuration to a dueling sword or extend to grapple or embed itself into walls. It can also spin in place from its hilt at high speed to act as a shield.
His white Armor, Dann of Thursday, or simply Dann, is held in place over the planet in a crucifix-shaped satellite, and is launched to his position when he twists his hat 180 degrees and swings a 'V' with his sword in the air. It is one of the strongest armors on the planet, and uses a sword as its primary weapon.
Van's first traveling companion who joins him in episode 1 in search of her missing brother Michael, after he saves her town from bandits. Although somewhat naive she is compassionate and determined, often wanting to assist those they meet in contrast to Van's 'leave everyone to him/herself'. Around her neck is a pink tortoise that serves as a good luck charm, given to her by her brother. In the first episode it does so by stopping an incoming bullet meant for her.
She carries her Brother's gun which she retrieved from some townspeople after his kidnapping. It only contains one bullet.
A mysterious and self-sufficient intelligence agent/mercenary who Van encounters in episode 2, her real name is Carol Mendosa. Her nickname is 'Carmen 99' comes from both her bust measurement (99 cm), and the number of hidden accessories she always carries. She mainly travels using a car that can roll or hover.
Her weapon of choice is a yo-yo with four spinning blades.
A withdrawn and ruthless Armor pilot whose wife was killed by the Man with the claw hand, he first appears in episode 5 but is opposed at first to Van. Like Van he travels to find the Man with the claw hand and exact his revenge, unlike Van he has far fewer qualms over who dies by interfering with him. He also abstains from alcohol, drinking water instead.
Ray's primary weapon is a gun shaped like katana with the cartridge where the blade would be. He holds it just ahead of the hilt and spins it to fire streams of bullets.
His armor, Vulcan, is armed with a long-range rifle and a strong handgun that is fired by connecting a pressurized hose to the power source. In contrast to Van's armor, his is summoned by him repeatedly firing his gun downwards into the ground to trace out a circle around himself, signalling where it will rise from the underground encased within a hard protective shell. The shell also serves to protect him whilst shooting his rifle long-range.
Ray's younger brother, he's upbeat, talkative and sociable. He went in search of Ray, and found him in episode 8 in a town reminiscent of a Chinese mountain village. His main asset is his technical skill, being able to repair numerous everday items, analyze armor weaknesses and even setup timed explosives.
A pink-haired girl with a very revealing outfit . First appearing in episode 14 as a competitor for an Armor battle competition. She uses her winnings to support her older sister and a group of orphans. After Van defeats her, he donates both the prize and the accompanying Armor Carrier to her. Energetic and possessing a strong sense of fair play, she loves piloting Armors more than anything else. Annoyingly to Carmen and Wendy Van seems to remember Priscilla's name straight away and accepts a gift from her in the end of the episode she first appears in.
Her pink Armor 'Brownie' has a feminine design with cat ears and a needle-shaped blade where the left elbow is, and an alternate form with heavier armor and thick blades at the knees. It is incredibly manueverable.
Four aging but boisterous Armor pilots who spend their days reminiscing about past battles, which annoys the rest of their town to no end. The fifth member was Yukiko's grandmother which had already passed away. Each of their Armors can unite into a one gigantic suit (Legs, Torso, Head and Shoulders, Arms, Backpack) called El Dorado. The inn they frequent is managed by the granddaughter of their deceased fifth member. Their 'secret base', stereotypical speech, uniting mecha and colorful costumes are a clear parody of 'sentai' team shows. And when they defeat an enemy, they yell out, "Adios AMIGO!!!".
A mastermind with a prosthetic right hand. First seen as a silhouette in Van's flashbacks standing over his bride Helena's body, he is the object of both Van and Ray's revenge. Those who have reported seeing him, however, describe him as being polite and kind. He appears in disguise to Wendy in episode 12 and helps Wendy get over the sadness experienced by her brother before he reveals himself. Over time, he has come to the conclusion that individual lives are meaningless, but the dreams that those who live are worthwhile. This leads him to have an almost morbidly casual attitude to those who perished due to his actions, although he is shocked when any death, even passing animals, occurs near him. Even from their first meeting, it is implied he is far older than he appears, as he remembers designing Ray's Vulcan armor as the basis of the Original Seven Armors.
He is overly nice but wants to destroy the world, by combining with everyone in the planet on a subconscious level.
The first of the Clawed Man's pilots, she is first introduced in episode 9, buying paralytic flowers from a childhood friend of Carmen's that she instructed to grow. She appears quiet and reserved, and has the distinction of her middle and ring fingers held together on her right hand. She fights with a multi-part staff that can alter its length, normally coiled on her thigh like a garter belt, and has a large scar running down her spine. Out of all the Claw Man's followers she is the most loyal, having originally worked as a prostitute before she joined him, although she develops romantic feelings for Michael as time passes. She pilots ''Dahlia of Wednesday''.
Wendy's older brother, who voluntarily went with the Clawed Man, and willingly believes in him as a leader. Upon reunion with Wendy in episode 11, he is surprised that she did not receive a letter he had sent telling her not to worry. Nonetheless, he dismisses her pursuit coldly and tells her not to follow him any farther. He later pilots the Original Seven Armor ''Saudade of Sunday''.
Twin sister of Carossa, she is shy, emotional and somewhat clumsy, first appears in episode 11. She is the pilot of the Original Seven armor ''Sen of Saturday''.
Twin brother of Melissa, he's brash and combatative, very protective of his sister, and hates to have the Claw man's attention on anyone but him, driven by a fear of being abandoned, first appears in episode 11. Pilots the armor called Sin of Friday.
An aloof and philosophical individual, he first appears in episode 11, and pilots the armor Metsä of Tuesday. Wuu suffers from Sigmund Freud's
Oedipus Complex , and despised his father for receiving his mother's complete attention. In an attempt to kill him, his mother took the blow and perished instead, and his guilt torments him years later.
A strict and disciplined man, first appears in episode 11, he and Van know each other. The only surviving Original Seven Armor pilot from the previous generation. He fights with an axe and pilots the Original Seven Armor 'Diablo of Monday' in episode 12 and 13, but perishes against Van. Gadved is the one who gave Dann to Van at the request of Van's wife Helena.
One of the biggest differences in the world of Gun X Sword is the use of multi-storey suits called 'Armors'. These are generally humanoid in design, and are primarily used for combat. Below are listed some of the most noteworthy ones.
The armor appeared in episode 2, and resembled a battleship with a vast humanoid torso attached. Metal Glow was commanded by Baron Mayor of the bridge city in order to conquer the world. Its main attacks were the use of its gigantic arms and the Regulus Cannon, a turret that sprayed molten metal over its opponents. Van managed to destroy Metal Glow by throwing Dann's sword through into the regulus cannon then used his foot to push on it sending the sword through the centre and back out the other side.
First appeared in episode 8, the S-Drive Dragon resembles a metallic Chinese dragon. As well as being able to hover through the air, it used a powerful water-jet cutter from its mouth and a constricting attack to overcome any who tried to cross the mountains where it lay. The S-Drive designation referred to a set of solar panels on the spine of the dragon that would store energy from the sun. When the dragon was finally defeated, Van and Ray discover that the armor was unmanned; the pilot had died inside long ago.
Van's team is ambushed by a pair of automated Dragons when they attempt to pass through the underwater tunnel leading to the Claw Man's base. These two dragons are armed differently, as instead of using the hydro cutter of the first dragon they attack primarily with a pair of head mounted beam cannons. These two were dispatched by Brownie and Eldora Soul.
Finally, a fourth Dragon armor is used by Mudaka's rebel force as they try to escape from the Claw Man. It also attacks using the twin beam cannons, as well as unleashing a missile barrage against Saudade of Sunday from multiple back-mounted launchers. Mudaka's Dragon was destroyed by Michael during this encounter.
After Van sees through Joe's deception in episode 7, Joe summons Golden Cradle to do battle against Dann. Golden Cradle looks like a large medieval knight, with a massive cross-bearing shield and large lance as its primary armaments. It's face is half-covered by a golden helmet, the other half revealing a robotic skull face. Despite it's heavily armored appearance, the Golden Cradle is reasonably agile and able to duel with Dann to some degree.
After slicing open Joe's outer cockpit, Van manages to severely wound the Golden Cradle by blinding Joe with a well-reflected beam of sunlight and slashing through the armor's shield in the confusion. Joe self-destructs Golden Cradle, however, depriving Van of any information regarding the Claw Man.
The Golden Cradle design is seen again when Van's team journeys to the Claw Man's secret base. A number of automated green colored versions, called One-on-Ones, are used as the outer defense line of the Claw Man's facilities. The One-on-One version is armed with a set of shield-mounted machine guns in addition to its large melee lance. Their autopilot is seemingly crude and predictable, as Priscilla is able to anticipate its movements and destroy them handily.
Armed primarily with a long-range automatic rifle and a pressurized single-shot pistol, Vulcan was designed to be a ranged attacker. In contrast to Van's sword-slashing technique to call down Dan, Ray's is summoned by firing his gun in a circle around himself at the ground. Vulcan's armored drilling carrier then homes in on Ray's location and delivers the armor to the battlefield. Its noted that Vulcan's weapon system served as a basis for the weapons of the Original Seven armors.
In the rooftop garden battle at Jonet Junction, Ray summons Vulcan by firing his heel pistols at the floor. After his armor surfaces Ray then controls it on a basic level through specifically timed shots of his heel gun. The Claw Man is then targeted by Vulcan's secondary weapon system: a pair of head mounted machine guns. Unfortunately for Ray the bullets from these cannons are unable to penetrate the armor of Saudade of Sunday's hand.
Vulcan is shrouded in a what appears to be simple cloth cape. Although it seems to be just a mere mecha fashion accessory, the cape is actually a specially designed beam-spreading coat that can absorb the energy from incoming beam attacks. This protection allows Vulcan to fight effectively against the long ranged attacks of the Original Seven armors.
When Ray appears with Vulcan in the underwater tunnel leading to the Claw Man's base, he reveals Vulcan's ultimate weapon. Stored within the tough outer shell of the drill unit is a long high powered rifle that connects directly to the Vulcan's generator. The weapon is extremely powerful, firing a beam shot that is able to pierce through the electromagnetic shield of Melissa and Carossa's Original Seven armors. It is notably the only beam weapon used by Vulcan.
Ray attempts to shoot down the launch of Saudade into space with this long rifle, but is stopped by Fasalina in Dhalia. Vulcan's arms are then destroyed by Dhalia's beam cannons, severely crippling the armor and demoralizing Ray. Unable to fully restore the arms of Vulcan, Ray replaces them with powerful gatling guns that he then uses to combat the Claw Man's One-on-Ones and of course, Fasalina in Dhalia.
Piloted by Ray Langren
Brownie is a highly maneuverable pink armor that is controlled through a unique interface system. Its pilot plugs in to a port in the rear of the cockpit, allowing Brownie's movements to mimic that of the pilot's physical actions. This interface system is reminiscent of the neural interface used by the Original Seven armors.
During Priscilla's initial encounter with Van during the Armor Battle Tournament, Brownie is only armed with a single weapon: the Fairy's Stab. This consists of an elongated armor-piercing spike that is stored on Brownie's left elbow. Priscilla's usual course of action in a match is to carefully analyze her opponent's attack patterns, find an opening, and swoop in for a crippling strike using the Fairy's Stab. Van was able to nullify this attack by using Dann's secondary blade to cut through the tip of the spike.
In addition to the base unit, Priscilla installs a set of "heavy" armor on to Brownie for the tournament. The armor adds a pair of sharp blades to the knees that can be used in dashing slash attacks, but most importantly the equipment reduces Brownie's speed significantly. This is used to confuse opponents when they try to gauge the true speed and power of the armor. After Van manages to fend of Priscilla effectively, she removes Brownie's heavy armor and battles in her true form.
When Priscilla rejoins Van on the Claw Man's island, Brownie appears with several additional forms of weaponry. A long-range cabled spike, similar to the close range Fairy Stab, has been mounted on its right elbow. Also, vulcan cannons were added to Brownie's shoulders to provide light ranged fire. The most unique addition is seen when Priscilla fights one of the Claw Man's One-on-One automated armors: Brownie attacks by flying butt-firs, shooting a tail-mounted gunpod.
Piloted by Priscilla.
In addition to the numerous custom made models are a group of highly-advanced armors called 'the Original Seven,' each named after one of the days of the week and having an alternate mode that resembles an oversized weapon. Apparently the pilots change every generation, each bound to one of the Armors for life, and must make regular contact for both to regenerate. Originally the Planet of Endless Illusion was used by Earth as a prison colony, with the Original Seven as guards.
When in humanoid form, their primary weapon is a smaller version of their weapon form. Van's armor is referred to as 'Dann of Thursday', and resembles a giant sword, another called 'Saudade of Sunday' resembles a giant golden pistol. Others include Diablo (Axe) and Metsä (Lance), though all except Van's are piloted by followers of the Clawed man.
Each of the Original Seven armors are stored in orbital satellite bases, called the SA System. When the proper signal is sent, the SA System bases can drop the Original Seven armors through the atmosphere and directly onto the battlefield. The satellites have a distinct cross-shaped arrangement of solar panels which seem to supply the energy necessary to recharge and repair the armors.
All Original Seven units have a blue-black liquid called G.E.R. fluid that permeates the entire armor. It runs through the body of the mecha like human blood, seeping out of any wounds that the armor sustains in combat. It also fills the cockpit, able to accept neural inputs and also imparting healing abilities to the pilot's injuries when they are connected. This seemingly biological-based armor design is reminiscent of the mecha seen in Gainax's Evangelion series.
In later episodes, its revealed that the Original Seven armors are equipped with an electromagnetic shield that's capable of deflecting beam attacks. This shield takes a significant level of skill and bond with the armor to activate, but once achieved it raises reflexively to protect against incoming beams. Gadved explains to Van that all of the Original Seven had become rotten with corruption over the generations, especially when the mother planet 'Earth' was blown up.
Weapon form: Bayonet
First found underwater during episode 10 in the remnant of its satellite storage unit, its weapon form is seen in episode 11. Its pilot uses a twin-bladed sword to control it.
When Michael moves to pursue Mudaka's escaping Dragon Armor, he transforms Saudade and reveals its true form as the Claw Man's audience watches from the base auditorium. Saudade changes from its previous golden pistol form into a humanoid mecha with a dramatic set of dragonfly-esque energy wings. It is armed with a pistol/sword weapon that can fire ranged shots or be used to slash.
Saudade is unique in that it does not have a satellite base like the other Original Seven units; the armor is able to function normally without having to return to space to recover. For this reason, the Claw Man chooses Saudade and Michael to make the long journey for the Blessed Moment.
Saudade is a Portuguese word that roughly means homesick, or longing for home/loved ones, and the hope that they will return.
Piloted by Michael.
Weapon form: Axe
Piloted by Gadved at first in episode 12 and 13. Diablo means 'devil' in Spanish, but the original Greek word is 'diabolous', which means 'divider'. In this sense, Gadved was the dividing line between the previous Original Seven and the Claw man's team.
Weapon form: Rapier
First appearing in episode 15, Metsä uses a long rapier for dueling and has two beam cannons mounted on the shoulders for distance attacks. Dann initially is no match for Metsä and is defeated easily, its armor severely damaged by Wuu's rapier and beam attacks.
When Van returns for a rematch in episode 16, he is able to raise Dann's electromagnetic shield and repel Metsä's devastating cannon shots. Metsä is cleaved by Dann's blade and destroyed, falling into Wuu's castle.
Metsä is a Finnish word that means forest.
Piloted by William Will Wuu
Weapon form: Three Part Staff
First appearing in episode 20, Dahlia is summoned to stop Van and his allies from advancing further. Its humanoid form has two fighting staffs, and its beam cannons are mounted on extended shoulder struts, surrounded by flower petal-like plates. It also has a set of extendable tendrils for close-range defense.
Dahlia means 'elegant' or 'unstable', and could refer to Fasalina's cold and merciless attitude. It is also the name of a pink-petalled flower.
Piloted by Fasalina
Weapon form: Long Sword and Short Sword (Able to combine)
Summoned from space by Van, Dann's control system is within its chest cavity, and resembles a dome-shaped room with shimmering blue-black coating on the floor and walls. A giant blade is mounted on its back, and can spin to allow temporary flight. Most unusual is its ability to heal injuries or illnesses that Van has, including hangovers, once he enters the cockpit. The name Dann is another name for Odin, the primary hero of Norse mythology. It refers to the Dragon Kings: those that have a large percentage of Anunnaki blood - blue blood.
Weapon form:Tonfa
Sin is a massive hulking armor, departing from the slender humanoid designs of other Original Seven armors like Dann or Metsa. Sin stands in an almost feral fashion, with a long blue spiked tail to the rear and large arms. Its head design is also themed similarly, adding a wild and animalistic feel to the armor that conveys the attitude of the pilot Carossa.
Sin is armed with a shape-changing Tonfa weapon; it shifts its forms based on the attacks the armor is doing. When Carossa senses an opening in Van's defenses, Sin's weapon changes into a spear to pierce the chest of Dan. Like Metsa and its sister armor Sen, Sin of Friday is also armed with a pair of shoulder-mounted beam cannons.
After Sen and Melissa are destroyed by blocking the first shot from Vulcan's powerful beam rifle, Carossa makes an enraged dash at Ray's armor seeking vengeance. Sen is destroyed, but manages to injure Ray by tossing one of Sin's blade weapons into Vulcan.
Piloted by Carossa
Weapon form:Chakram
Sen is the smallest Original Seven armor, especially when compared to its companion armor Sin of Friday. It is specifically designed to fight in unison with Sin; Sen can interlock into the torso area of Sin and fight as one.
The
Chakram weapon is very deadly, capable of boring into an enemy's defenses before returning to Sen like a boomerang. Like Wuu's Metsä, Sen is armed with a pair of beam cannons on its shoulders for long ranged attacks.
Sen of Saturday is destroyed when Melissa moves in front of Carossa's Sin to block Vulcan's extremely powerful beam cannon blast. Sen's electromagnetic shield manages to withstand the blast for a few seconds before it cuts through and obliterates the armor, shearing its torso from its legs.
Piloted by Melissa
# Tuxedo Dances in the Wind
# Funny Stream
# The Hero Returns
# And Then, the Rain Falls
# Twins Guard
# The Spark in the Heart
# Getting Revenge for Myself
# There is a Use for That Bond
# Carmen Returns to Her Hometown
# Ocean, Thank You
# Does It Have To Be Goodbye?
# Days That Don`t Return
# On the Way Through the Dream
# Swift Brownie
# Neo Original
# A Shine is an Electric Current Spark
# Chase Coordinate X
# To Pray is Saudade
# The End of Hope
# Wonderful Universe
# Wish in the Sky Peace on Earth
# Adios Amigo
# Endless Illusion
# End of the Dream
# Endless Illusion
# Daybreak Van
Official Gun X Sword homepage: http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/gunsword
